Tag: Brandon Moreno

Alexandre Pantoja explains post fight comments about his father at UFC 290: ‘I just want the love of my dad’

alexandre pantojaNewly crowned UFC flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja gives emotional insight to his post-fight comments about his relationship with his father. In a climate filled with forced speeches, cringey monologues and ignorant takes, Pantoja gave a raw and honest speech after beating Brandon Moreno for the 125lb championship this past weekend. Flooded with emotions, while talking […]

alexandre pantoja

Newly crowned UFC flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja gives emotional insight to his post-fight comments about his relationship with his father.

In a climate filled with forced speeches, cringey monologues and ignorant takes, Pantoja gave a raw and honest speech after beating Brandon Moreno for the 125lb championship this past weekend. Flooded with emotions, while talking to Joe Rogan in the Octagon ‘The Cannibal’ revealed that he grew up without a dad, and looking into the camera asked ‘now Dad, are you proud of me Dad?.

The moment would make the rounds around the MMA world, tugging at many peoples heartstrings in what was an extremely vulnerable moment for someone who just engaged in back-and-forth war.

Alexandre Pantoja describes relationship with father

Appearing on The MMA Hour, Pantoja was asked about his post-fight comments, and would share some saddening background.  

My dad drank a lot, I saw a lot of fights with him and my mom,” said Pantoja.

“When my dad drinks too much he’s aggressive, I don’t remember having good times with my dad, you know… But I don’t want to crucify my daddy,” Pantoja continued. “I know he loves me and my brothers and I’m old now he gave the bets he could do, its not close to what I give my kids but he does the best he can. I’m not going to judge him. He left the house, he never helped my mom with me or my brothers, he never gave her money.”

Pantoja would explain that even after all he had been through, he still though about reaching out to his father during his moment of need.

“I just want the love of my dad,” Pantoja said. “I want to feel him and the week of the fight I thought about calling my daddy to try and take all over the scared [feelings].

“When the fight was over, I was thinking about him, I was thinking about all his moments he can’t enjoy with me, he can’t enjoy with his grandkids.”

After his phenomenal performance and honest following, the 33-year-old has undoubtedly gained a load of new fans.

Full clip of Alexandre Pantoja

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Alexandre Pantoja outlasts Brandon Moreno in instant classic to capture flyweight title – UFC 290 Highlights

Brandon MorenoAlexandre Pantoja climbed to the top of the mountain at UFC 290, outlasting Brandon Moreno in a five-round war to capture the UFC flyweight world championship. Pantoja came out aggressively from the opening bell, but Moreno was able to close the distance and clinch to avoid any danger before letting Pantoja off the fence and […]

Brandon Moreno

Alexandre Pantoja climbed to the top of the mountain at UFC 290, outlasting Brandon Moreno in a five-round war to capture the UFC flyweight world championship.

Pantoja came out aggressively from the opening bell, but Moreno was able to close the distance and clinch to avoid any danger before letting Pantoja off the fence and recentering. Unfortunately, that would turn out to be a big mistake as Pantoja landed a big left hand that dropped Moreno. Pantoja jumped on the champ and unleashed a flurry of ground strikes, including a nasty elbow that busted Moreno open early.

Determined to get some respect back, Brandon Moreno came out and worked his jab while Pantoja continued to load up looking for the one-hitter-quitter. As a result, Pantoja began to tire, allowing Moreno to drive him to the ground and take his back mere minutes into the second round. Pantoja managed to get back to his feet but already appeared to be breathing heavily as Moreno continued to counter-strike through the end of the round.

With the bout likely tied 19-19, both men gave everything they had in the next two rounds, seamlessly switching from stand-up to ground fighting. Pantoja appeared to take the lead going into the fifth round, but there was simply no way to know for certain considering how close and competitive the fight was up to that point.

Going into the fifth and final round, Brandon Moreno was undoubtedly the fresher fighter, but Pantoja had absolutely no quit in him. With the flyweight world championship hanging in the balance, both fighters opted to stand and trade throughout the final five minutes, a decision that favored Moreno who appeared to be one step ahead in the striking.

Recognizing that Moreno was getting the best of him on the feet, Pantoja switched levels and scored a takedown, taking Moreno’s back in the process. With 90 seconds to go, Pantoja rode Moreno like a backpack and peppered the champ with strikes. Unable to break the body triangle, Moreno opted to wait out the final seconds, hoping he had done enough to come out ahead on the scorecards.

Official Result: Alexandre Pantoja def. Brandon Moreno via split decision (46-49, 48-47, 48-47) to win the UFC flyweight world championship.

Check Out Highlights from Brandon Moreno vs. Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290 Below:

UFC 290 Fight Card: PPV Schedule, Odds and Predictions for Volkanovski vs. Rodríguez

Alexander Volkanovski is the long-reigning king of the featherweight division. Brandon Moreno has been playing hot potato with the flyweight championship over…

Alexander Volkanovski is the long-reigning king of the featherweight division. Brandon Moreno has been playing hot potato with the flyweight championship over…

UFC 290: Previewing Alexander Volkanovski vs. Yair Rodríguez and the Rest of the Card

It’s hard to believe, but it’s already almost time for the UFC’s annual International Fight Week bonanza, which typically culminates with the promotion’s…

It’s hard to believe, but it’s already almost time for the UFC’s annual International Fight Week bonanza, which typically culminates with the promotion’s…

Brandon Moreno betting favorite to avenge losses to Alexandre Pantoja, retain title at UFC 290

Brandon Moreno betting favorite over Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290Undisputed flyweight championship holder, Brandon Moreno is closing as a betting favorite to not just successfully defend and retain his crown during International Fight Week at UFC 290 next month, but also avenge a pair of prior losses to Brazilian contender, Alexandre Pantoja. Moreno, the current undisputed flyweight champion, co-headlined UFC 283 in Brazil back […]

Brandon Moreno betting favorite over Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290

Undisputed flyweight championship holder, Brandon Moreno is closing as a betting favorite to not just successfully defend and retain his crown during International Fight Week at UFC 290 next month, but also avenge a pair of prior losses to Brazilian contender, Alexandre Pantoja.

Moreno, the current undisputed flyweight champion, co-headlined UFC 283 in Brazil back in January of this year on enemy territory – successfully reclaiming his status as undisputed flyweight champion with a title unification win against Deiveson Figueiredo in Rio de Janeiro. 

As for Pantoja, the Brazilian title challenger has enjoyed a winning run spanning the course of three fights en route to the #2 rank in the official flyweight rankings under the banner of the UFC.

Last time out, the Rio de Janeiro native featured at UFC 277 in July of last year, submitting former title challenger, Alex Perez with a first round rear-naked choke submission win.

And holding an Ultimate Fighter exhibition win over Brandon Moreno, as well as a UFC triumph against the Baja Californian – Pantoja still, however, is closing as a sizeable +145 underdog to defeat the -170 betting favorite, Moreno at UFC 290 next month during International Fight Week. 

Betting websites not on gamstop also offer wagering and betting on fights under the UFC banners as well as a host of other combat sports and sports worldwide. 

Setting up an unprecedented fourth title fight with Figueiredo back in January of this year, Brandon Moreno also featured on that aforenoted UFC 277 card last summer akin to Pantoja – himself winning an interim flyweight title with a brutal body kick and strikes KO win over recent headliner, Kai Kara-France. 

First winning undisputed flyweight gold in 2021, Moreno became the first champion hailing from Mexico under the UFC banner, submitting Figueiredo with a rear-naked choke in Glendale, Arizona to a massive crowd reaction. 

However, ahead of his third combat sports outing with Pantoja next month, Brandon Moreno enters his first attempted title defense of his second undisputed reign with the prior knowledge of two prior defeats to the Brazilian.

First sharing the Octagon at The Ultimate Fighter 24 back in 2016, Brandon Moreno was submitted with a second round rear-naked choke by Pantoja on the reality television show.

Rekindling their rivalry at UFC Fight Night Santiago in Chile back in May 2019, Brandon Moreno again found himself on the wrong side of the winning equation against the former, dropping a unanimous decision loss to the Brazilian challenger. 

Himself suffering losses to common-foes, Figueiredo, and Askar Askarov during his UFC tenure – as well as Dustin Ortiz, in between those losses, Pantoja has racked up wins over a who’s who of talent including the likes of Kara-France, Brandon Royval, Manel Kape, Matt Schnell, Neil Seery, and former title challenger, Wilson Reis. 

A renowned finisher boasting an impressive 25-5 professional record, Pantoja has secured a resounding 10 separate submission triumphs, as well as eight separate knockouts over the course of his professional mixed martial arts career. Pantoja was eliminated from TUF 24 at the semi-final bracket, losing out to Japanese favorite, Hiromasa Ougikubo in a decision defeat. 

Brandon Moreno calls for Henry Cejudo to halt retirement following UFC 288: ‘F*ck belts, just you and me’

Brandon Moreno calls for fight with Henry Cejudo no retirement following UFC 288 f*ck beltsUndisputed flyweight champion, Brandon Moreno has urged former duel-weight champion, Henry Cejudo to refrain from a potential second retirement from mixed martial arts following last night’s bantamweight title challenge loss, offering to settle their rivalry at 135lbs in a main event clash in Mexico City. Moreno, the current undisputed flyweight champion, is himself slated to […]

Brandon Moreno calls for fight with Henry Cejudo no retirement following UFC 288 f*ck belts

Undisputed flyweight champion, Brandon Moreno has urged former duel-weight champion, Henry Cejudo to refrain from a potential second retirement from mixed martial arts following last night’s bantamweight title challenge loss, offering to settle their rivalry at 135lbs in a main event clash in Mexico City.

Moreno, the current undisputed flyweight champion, is himself slated to co-headline UFC 290 in July during International Fight Week – taking on past opponent, Brazilian contender, Alexandre Pantoja in their championship rematch. 

As for Cejudo, the Olympic gold medalist snapped his three-year Octagon retirement last night in the main event of UFC 288, suffering a close, split decision (48-47, 47-48, 47-48) loss to defending gold holder, Sterling at the Prudential Center.

Weighing up his fighting future off the back of his championship fight loss, Cejudo remained coy on the topic of him competing professionally once again.

“I just don’t know Joe (Rogan), I just don’t know,” Henry Cejudo said following UFC 288. “You tell me. It was close but Aljamain (Sterling) did his jo, he got the victory. It sucks man. I hate losing but it’s also been three years. I just don’t know where to take it from here, Joe. I’m a little confused right now. Whether I continue, it’s like Ricky Bobby, if I’m not first, I’m last. If I can’t beat Alja, my biggest goal was to go to 145 pounds. If I can’t get the victory over him then I just know where that puts me.”

Brandon Moreno calls for bantamweight clash against Henry Cejudo after UFC 290 return

Offered a lifeline to a potential bantamweight title siege in the future once more, Cejudo has been called out by rival, Brandon Moreno – who has offered to meet him at 135lbs in a bid to settle their grudge.

“@henry_cejudo don’t retire yet, please wait for me,” Brandon Moreno posted on Instagram. “I’m going to win my fight in July [at UFC 290] and then we can finish business, main event in Mexico City. I go to 135lbs, f*ck belts, just you and me in the Octagon.”